Engineering:List of premodern combat weapons

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Further information: Engineering:Types of swords and Engineering:Classification of swords

This is a list of historical pre-modern weapons grouped according to their uses, with rough classes set aside for very similar weapons. Some weapons may fit more than one category (e.g. the spear may be used either as a polearm or as a projectile), and the earliest gunpowder weapons which fit within the period are also included.

Offensive weapons

Melee weapons

Hand or fist weapons and fans

Single-handed weapons not resembling a straight dagger blade, usually wielded without wrist action; often protects the forearm.


  • Bagh nakha, tiger claws (Indian)
  • Brass knuckles, knuckle dusters (European)
  • Cestus, bladed cestus, caestus, myrmex, sfere (Mediterranean)
  • Deer Horn Knives (Chinese)
  • Emeici (Chinese)
  • Finger knife[1] (African)
  • Gauntlet (European)
  • Indian parrying weapon[1]
  • Japanese fan, iron fan
  • Katar, suwaiya (कटार) (Indian)
  • Korean fan, mubuchae (무부채), tempered birch fan
  • Larim fighting bracelet, nyepel[1] (African)
  • Maduvu, buckhorn parrying stick, maru[1] (Indian)
  • Pata, sword gauntlet (Indian)
  • Push dagger, also see Katar (dagger) (Indian)
  • Tekko, Tekko Kagi (Japanese)
  • Wind and fire wheels (Chinese)
  • Moche Tiger claw (Peru)


Edged and bladed weapons

Main page: Engineering:Edged and bladed weapons

Thrusting and cutting weapons for melee combat. Col. D.H. Gordon's classification has been used where applicable.[2][3]

Swords

Further information: Engineering:Types of swords

Long swords were classified by Gordon as longer than 28 inches/71 cm.[2]

Curved one-handed swords

  • Ayudha katti[1] (South and Southeast Asian)
  • Butterfly sword (Chinese)
  • Cutlass, hanger, hangar (European)
  • Dao, beidao, zhibei dao (Chinese)
  • Dao (Northeastern Indian)
  • Dha (Southeast Asian)
  • Dussack, disackn, dusack, dusagge, dusegg, dusegge, dysack, tesak, thuseckn, tuseckn[1] (Although some list this weapon only as a wooden practice sword, this was a real weapon)
  • Falchion (European)
  • Hunting sword (European)
  • Hwando (Korean)
  • Kampilan (Philippinese, Southeast Asian)
  • Karabela (European)
  • Kastane (Sri Lankan)
  • Khopesh, sappara, sickle sword (Egyptian, Middle Eastern)
  • Kilij (North Indian, Middle Eastern)
  • Klewang (Southeast Asian)
  • Krabi (Southeast Asian)
  • Liuyedao (Chinese)
  • Mameluke (Middle Eastern)
  • Messer, großmesser, hiebmesser, kriegsmesser, langes messer (German, European)
  • Nimcha (African)
  • Parang Nabur (Bornean)
  • Piandao (Chinese)
  • Pulwar (Middle Eastern)
  • Sabre, briquet (European)
  • Schweizersäbel (European)
  • Scimitar, saif (Middle Eastern)
  • Shamshir (Pakistani, North Indian, Middle Eastern)
  • Shashka (Caucasian, Circassian)
  • Surik (Indonesian)
  • Szabla (Polish, Lithuanian)
  • Talwar (Pakistani, North Indian, Middle Eastern)
  • Yanmaodao (Chinese)


Straight one-handed swords

  • Arming sword, war sword (European)
  • Backsword (European)
  • Basket-hilted sword, schiavona, broadsword, mortuary sword, heavy cavalry sword (European)
  • Chokutō (Japanese)
  • Épée[4] (European, although now a fencing practice weapon, it originally was a stiff, heavy, triangular bladed thrusting sword weighing about 30oz)
  • Estoc (European)
  • Firangi, firanghi[1] (Central Asian)
  • Flamberge (European)
  • Flyssa (North African)
  • Hwandudaedo (Korean)
  • Ida (West African)
  • Jian (Chinese)
  • Kampilan (Philippinese)
  • Kaskara (Central African)
  • Katzbalger (German)
  • Khanda (South Asian)
  • Moplah[1] (Southwestern Indian)
  • Patag (Bhutanese)
  • Rapier (European)
  • Saingeom (Korean)
  • Seax (European)
  • Side sword (European)
  • Sikin Panyang (Sumatran)
  • Spadroon (European)
  • Spatha (Mediterranean, Greek)
  • Takoba (North African)
  • Tibetan Jian[1] (Middle Asian)
  • Tsurugi (Japanese)
  • Ulfberht (Frankish)


Curved two-handed swords

  • Dōtanuki (Japanese)
  • Falx (European, Thraco-Dacian)
  • Katana (Japanese)
  • Miao dao (Chinese)
  • Nandao (Chinese)
  • Nihontō (Japanese)
  • Panabas (Philippinese)
  • Ssangsudo (Korean)
  • Tachi (Japanese)
  • Uchigatana (Japanese)


Hand-and-a-half and two-handed greatswords

  • Assamese dao[1] (Indian, Southeast Asian)
  • Boar sword[1] (European)
  • Changdao (Chinese)
  • Claidheamh da laimh, highland sword[1] (European)
  • Claymore, Scottish Gaelic for "great sword" (Scottish, European)
  • Dadao (Chinese)
  • Executioner's sword, heading sword, sword of justice (European)
  • Flame-bladed sword, flambard, flammard, flammenschwert (European)
  • Katana (Japanese)
  • Longsword, bastard sword, espée bastarde, hand and a half sword (European)
  • Nagamaki[5] (Japanese)
  • Nodachi, Ōdachi (Japanese)
  • Parade sword, paratschwerter[1] (European)
  • Wodao (Chinese)
  • Zanbatō (Japanese)
  • Zhanmadao (Chinese)
  • Zweihänder, great sword, espadon, spadone, tuck, montante, lowland sword, two handed sword, dopplehänder (European)


Shortswords

Delineated as 20-28 inches/51–71 cm total length.[2]

Curved shortswords


  • Aikuchi, haikuchi (Japanese)
  • Akrafena (West African)
  • Barong (Southeast Asian)
  • Janbiya, jambiya, jambya, jambia, janbia (Middle Eastern)
  • Kaduthala, Kerala (Indian)
  • Khanjar (Middle Eastern)
  • Kodachi (Japanese)
  • Pinuti (Southeast Asian)
  • Shikomizue (Japanese)
  • Talibon (Southeast Asian)
  • Wakizashi (Japanese)


Straight shortswords


  • Bakatwa (Shona tribe of Southern Africa)
  • Baselard (European)
  • Bilbo (European)
  • Billao (Somali)
  • Bolo, itak (Philippinese, Southeast Asian)
  • Cinquedea, anelace (European)
  • Colichemarde (European)
  • Cossack dagger, Ottoman quama, kinjal, quama, kama[1] (Middle Eastern)
  • Gladius (Roman)
  • Khanjali (Georgian, Caucasian)
  • Luwuk (Javanese)
  • Misericorde (European)
  • Ninjato, Shinobi gatana (Japanese)
  • Small sword (European)
  • Swiss dagger, holbein dagger, schweizerdegen (European)
  • Xiphos, xifos (Greek)


Axe-like swords

Generally, convex blades used for heavy chopping or slashing.


  • Aruval (South Indian)
  • Bolo, itak (Philippinese, Asian)
  • Falcata (Mediterranean)
  • Golok (Southeast Asian)
  • Harpe, harpi (Greek)
  • Kopis (Greek)
  • Kora (Southeast Asian)
  • Kudi (Southeast Asian)
  • Kukri, khukri (Nepalian)
  • Machete (Spain, Latin America)
  • Vettukathi (South Indian)
  • Mahera (Greek)
  • One handed Dacian falx, sica (Mediterranean, Greek)
  • Parang Pandit (Southeast Asian)
  • Sosun pattah[1] (South Asian)
  • Yatagan, yataghan (Middle Eastern)


Other swords

Fighting knives and daggers

Further information: Engineering:List of daggers

Sickles and sickle like knives

Generally short, concave blades used for heavy cutting.


  • Arit (Maduresian, Indonesian)
  • Karambit, kerambit, korambit (Minangkabauian, Indonesian)
  • Kujang (Sundanese, Indonesian)
  • Kukri (Indian)
  • Mandau (Malaysian, Indonesian, Bornean, Bruneian)
  • Pichangatti[1] (Indian)
  • Punyal (Philippinese, Southeast Asian)
  • Sickle (Improvised, worldwide)
  • Sudanese sickle knife[1] (African)


Picks and pickaxes

  • Chicken sickles (Chinese)
  • Crowbill (European, Central Asian)
  • Elephant goad, ankus, ankusha, bullhook, elephant hook (South and Southeast Asian)
  • Hakapik (European)
  • Horseman's pick, martel de fer, also a blunt weapon (European)
  • Kama (Japanese)
  • Mattock (Improvised, European)
  • Pickaxe (Improvised, European)
  • War hammer also a blunt weapon (European)


Axes

  • Adze (Improvised, European)
  • Bardiche (European)
  • Battle axe (European)
  • Bhuj with blade shaped like the dagger on a long shaft[1]
  • Broadaxe (European)
  • Congolese axe[1] (African)
  • Dahomey axe club, also an effective blunt weapon[1] (African)
  • Danish axe, hafted axe, English long axe, Viking axe, Danish longer axe (European)
  • Doloire (European)
  • Fu (Chinese)
  • Hand axe, ovate handaxe (Paleolithic)
  • Hatchet (European)
  • Igorot headhunting axe[6] (Philippinese, Southeast Asian)
  • Labrys, pelekys (Greek)
  • Long-bearded axe (European)
  • Masakari (Japanese)
  • Nzappa zap also thrown (African)
  • Ono (Japanese)
  • Palstave (Bronze Age, improvised, European)
  • Sagaris (Middle Eastern)
  • Shepherd's axe, valaška (European)
  • Sparth Axe (European)
  • Tabarzin (Middle Eastern)
  • Tomahawk, Spontoon Tomahawk, also thrown (American)
  • Tlaximaltepoztli (American)
  • Vechevoral[1] (Middle Asian)


Truncheons and blunt weapons

Main page: Engineering:Club (weapon)

Usually wielded with one or two hands at close quarters with striking motions, although some sharp-pointed truncheons like the sai were more often used for stabbing.


  • Aklys (Osci tribe of Southern Italy)
  • Bō (Japanese)
  • Bokken (Japanese)
  • Clubbing boomerang (Worldwide)
  • Returning boomerang (Australian)
  • Cambuk (Southeast Asian)
  • Canne de combat (European)
  • Chúi (Chinese)
  • Club, baseball bat, stone club, truncheon, cudgel, bludgeon
  • Crop (Worldwide)
  • Bastons, Eskrima Sticks, straight sticks (Southeast Asian)
  • Flail (European)
  • Gada (Indian)
  • Gunstock war club also thrown (American)
  • Gurz, Ottoman gurz[1] (Middle Eastern)
  • Hammer (Improvised)
  • Hanbō (Japanese)
  • Horseman's pick, horseman's hammer, martel de fer, also a pickaxe weapon (European)
  • Jawbone war club (American)
  • Jō (Japanese)
  • Jutte, jitte (Japanese)
  • Kanabō (Japanese)
  • Knobkierrie, knopkierie, knobkerry (African)
  • Kotiate (Māori)
  • Kurunthadi, churuvadi, kuruvadi, muchan, otta (Indian)
  • Macana (American)
  • Mace, spiked mace, flanged mace (European, Middle Asian)
  • Macuahuitl, maquahuitl (American)
  • Mallet (American)
  • Mere used to strike, jab (Māori)
  • Morning star, goedendag, holy water sprinkler (European)
  • Mughal[1] (Central Asian)
  • Ōtsuchi (Japanese)
  • Patu, patuki (Māori)
  • Plançon a picot, planson (European)
  • Quauholōlli (American)
  • Roundhead (European)
  • Rungu also thrown (African)
  • Sai (Okinawan)
  • Shestopyor, Pernach (Russian)
  • Shillelagh (Irish)
  • Short scepter, mace scepter (European)
  • Sledgehammer, maul (Improvised, European)
  • Stone war club (American)
  • Suburito (Japanese)
  • Sword mace 鐧 (Chinese)
  • Tambo, tanbo (Okinawan)
  • Tekkan (Japanese)
  • Tekpi (Malaysia)
  • Tewhatewha (Māori)
  • Tonfa (Okinawan)
  • Waddy, Nulla Nulla (Australian)
  • War hammer also a pickaxe weapon (European)
  • Wooden war club, sharp headed version and curve headed version (American)
  • Wrench (Improvised)
  • Yawara, pasak, yawara bo, dulodulo (Japanese, Southeast Asian)
  • Yubi-bo (Japanese)


Polearms and spears

Wielded mainly with two hands. Primarily for melee with sweeping, thrusting, and or hooking motions.

Blunt staves

  • Bâton français (European)
  • Bō (Japanese)
  • Eku (Okinawan)
  • Gun (Chinese)
  • Jō (Japanese)
  • Lathi (Indian)
  • Naboot, shoum, nabboot, asa, asaya (Middle Eastern)
  • Quarterstaff (European)
  • Shareeravadi (Middle Asian)
  • Taiaha (Māori)

Spears

Throwing spears are listed under ranged weapons.



Polearms with axe-like blades


Polearms with spikes and hammers

Ranged weapons

Thrown

Throwing blades and darts

Throwing spears

All could be used as spears, but were designed and primarily used for throwing.



Throwing axes

Could also be used as axe weapons, but were specifically designed for throwing.

  • Francisca, francesca (European)
  • Hunga munga, danisco, goleyo, njiga (African)
  • Hurlbat, whirlbat (European)
  • Kapak siam (Asian)
  • Nzappa zap (African)
  • Tomahawk also an axe weapon (American)

Throwing balls

  • Bolas, ayllo, liwi, qilumitautit (Central American, South American, Arctic)
  • Slungshot not to be confused with a slingshot (Improvised, Worldwide)
  • Stone, rock (Improvised, Worldwide)

Throwing sticks

  • Boomerang (Australian, Worldwide)
  • Knobkierrie, knopkierie, knobkerry, also a blunt weapon (African)
  • Rungu (East African)
  • Stick, branch (Improvised, Worldwide)

Gunpowder weapons

An illustration of an "eruptor", a proto cannon from the 14th century Ming Dynasty book Huolongjing. The cannon was capable of firing proto shells, cast iron bombs filled with gunpowder.



Composite projectile weapons

Having a built-in gun or other ranged weapon combined with some other type of melee weapon.

  • Ax match and wheellock[1] (European axe with five barrels under a removable blade)
  • Carbine axe[1] (European axe)
  • Halberd double barreled wheellock[1] (European halberd)
  • Mace wheellock[1] (European mace)
  • Matchlock axe dagger[1] (European axe, dagger, matchlock combination)
  • Pistol sword (European sword)
  • War hammer wheellock[1] (European pick hammer)

Firing mechanisms

Slings

  • Kestros, cestrus, cestrosfendoni, kestrosfedoni (Greek)
  • Sling (Worldwide)
  • Stave sling, fustibale (Mediterranean)

Bows

Longbows
Recurved bows
Short bows and reflex bows
Crossbows
  • Arbalest, arblast (European)
  • Bullet bow, English bullet bow, pellet crossbow[1] (European)
  • Cheiroballistra, hirovallistra hand ballista (Roman, Greek)
  • Crossbow (European, Chinese)
  • Gastraphetes, gastrafetis (Greek)
  • Pistol crossbow
  • Repeating crossbow, chu ko nu, zhuge (Chinese)
  • Skåne lockbow (European)
  • Stone bow (European)

Blowguns

Projectile weapons

  • Ballista (European, Asian)
  • Ballista elephant (Angkor)
  • Carroballista (Roman)
  • Catapult (European, Asian)
  • Catapulta (Roman)
  • Efthytonon catapult (Greek)
  • Hu Dun Pao trebuchet (Chinese)
  • Mangonel (Chinese)
  • Onager (Roman)
  • Oxybeles, oxyvelis ballista (Greek)
  • Palintonon catapult (Greek)
  • Polybolos, polyvolos repeating ballista (Greek)
  • Trebuchet (European, Asian)

Flamethrowers

Flexible weapons

Whips

Used for whipping.

  • Bullwhip (Worldwide)
  • Buntot Pagi (Philippinese)
  • Cat o' nine tails (European)
  • Chain whip, jiujiebian, samjitbin, qijiebian (Chinese)
  • Knout (Eastern European)
  • Nagyka, nagaika, nogaika (Eastern European)
  • Sjambok, fimbo, imvubu, kiboko, kurbash, litupa, mnigolo, chicotte (African)
  • Small whips, crops (Worldwide)
  • Stockwhip (Australian)
  • Urumi, chuttuval (Indian)

Sectional and composite

Having multiple handles or holdable sections.

Chains and ropes

Having a heavy object attached to a flexible chain or rope. Wielded by swinging, throwing, or projecting the end, as well as wrapping, striking, and blocking with the chain or rope, sometimes attached to another type of weapon.

  • Chigiriki (Japanese)
  • Cumberjung, double ended flail, flail with quoits[1] (Indian)
  • Flail, fleau d'armes, kriegsflegel (European)
  • Flying claws (Chinese)
  • Flying guillotine (Chinese)
  • Kusari-fundo, manrikigusari, manriki (Japanese)
  • Kusari-gama (Japanese)
  • Kyoketsu-shoge (Japanese)
  • Lasso, uurga, lariat (American, Chinese)
  • Meteor hammer, dragon's fist, dai chui, flying hammer, sheng bao, liu xing chui (Chinese)
  • Rope dart, jouhyou, rope javelin, sheng biao (Japanese, Chinese)
  • Monkey's fist (Improvised, European, Japanese, Chinese)
  • Surujin, suruchin (Okinawan)

Defensive weapons

Shields and body armour

Further information: Armour and Self-defense

Shields

Used not only to block strikes and missiles but also swung outwardly (or in quick upward motions) to strike an opponent. Also used to rush an opponent (known as shield bashing). Some shields had spikes, sharp edges, or other offensive designs.

  • Aspis, oplon (Greek)
  • Buckler (European)
  • Clipeus (Roman, Greek)
  • Dhal (Indian)
  • Gun shield (Roman, Egyptian, Greek)
  • Heater shield, heraldic shield (European)
  • Hide, wickerwork, leather and ceremonial shields (Tribal, Worldwide)
  • Hungarian shield (European)
  • Ishlangu (African)
  • Kite shield (European)
  • Lantern shield (Italian)
  • Parma, parmula (Roman)
  • Peltarion (Greek)
  • Rattan shield (Korean, Chinese)
  • Round shield
  • Scuta, rectangular, tower and oval scutum (Roman)
  • Targe (European)
  • Nguni shield (African)
  • Chīmalli (American)

Armour parts

  • Enarmes
  • Guige

See also

Swords

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 Regan, Paula, ed (2006). Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor. New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7566-2210-7. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cope, Anne, ed (1989). Swords and Hilt Weapons. New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 8. ISBN 1-55584-290-9. 
  3. ↑ Gordon, Col. D.H. (1953). "Swords, Rapiers and Horse riders". Antiquity (Antiquity Publications Ltd) 27 (106): 67–76. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00024595. http://antiquity.ac.uk/ant/027/Ant0270067.htm. [yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  4. ↑ Levine, Bernard; Weland, Gerald. Knives, swords, & daggers. New York: Barnes & Noble. p. 66. 
  5. ↑ Levine, Bernard; Weland, Gerald. Knives, swords, & daggers. New York: Barnes & Noble. p. 200. 
  6. ↑ "Igorot Head Hunting Axe #2". http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/IrogotAxe2.html. 
  7. ↑ "Spear (Sang) Indian". https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/30762. 
  8. ↑ "Northern spear". http://traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Spear.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Γεώργιος Ηλιόπουλος (Georgios Iliopoulos), "Η χαμένη πυραυλική τεχνολογία των αρχαίων Ελλήνων" (The lost missile technology of the ancient Greeks), Ιχώρ (Ihor), 27, page 12-13, Greece, 2002.
  10. ↑ Γεώργιος Ηλιόπουλος (Georgios Iliopoulos), "Η χαμένη πυραυλική τεχνολογία των αρχαίων Ελλήνων" (The lost missile technology of the ancient Greeks), Ιχώρ (Ihor), 27, page 13, Greece, 2002.



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